Golf training aid

ABSTRACT

A golf training aid. The golf training aid includes a base having a front surface, a rear surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface. A pair of vertical elongated rods extend from the upper surface at an angle towards the first side surface. The pair of elongated rods are substantially parallel to one another and a gap is defined therebetween. At least one alignment guide extends from the front surface of the base and is substantially perpendicular relative to the front surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisionalapplication No. 62/528,312, filed Jul. 3, 2017, the contents of whichare herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf training aid and, moreparticularly, to an improved golf training aid to help a golfer's swingpath, alignment, ball position, body movement, and timing.

While learning and practicing golf, individuals can learn and reproduceimproper swing path, alignment, ball position, body movement, andtiming. Many golf swing aides allow golfers to swing a club improperly,creating muscle memory for incorrect movements. For example, the golfswing aide may only focus on the position of the golfer upon impactingthe ball. When the measurement is at impact as opposed to the movementsand setup prior to impact, a golfer is allowed to move the club in anyway outside of the hitting area as long as the club face is returned tothe ball. This can create extra movements that limit power, consistency,and direction. Further, tools that do not use the players own clubs orallow them to hit actual golf balls focus on movements that do not givethe golfer a true feeling of ball contact, which is necessary and usedduring actual play.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved golf training aid tohelp a golfer's swing path, alignment, ball position, body movement, andtiming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a golf training aid comprises: abase comprising a front surface, a rear surface, an upper surface, alower surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface; a pairof vertical elongated rods extending from the upper surface at an angletowards the first side surface, wherein the pair of elongated rods aresubstantially parallel to one another and a gap is defined therebetween;and at least one alignment guide extending from and substantiallyperpendicular to the front surface.

In another aspect of the present invention, a golf training aidcomprises: a base comprising a front surface, a rear surface, an uppersurface, a lower surface, a first side surface, and a second sidesurface; a pair of vertical elongated rods extending from the uppersurface at an angle towards the first side surface, wherein the pair ofelongated rods are substantially parallel to one another and a gap isdefined therebetween; a pair of horizontal elongated rods extending fromopposing ends of the front surface; and a laser projector projecting abeam of light from the front surface of the base between andsubstantially parallel to the pair of horizontal elongated rods.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention in use;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the presentinvention in use;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a base of an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes a device used to practice and learn theproper way to use a golf club. The tool is placed to the golfer's rightside for right handed golfers and left side for left handed golfers.Using either physical or electronic barriers or guides set at the properangle for the swing plane, golfers are made aware of the proper plane toswing the club and they are informed when they move the club outside theoptimal area or plane. With similar physical or electronic barriers orguides placed on the ground perpendicular to the tool the golfer canproperly line up feet, hips, and shoulders with the target line. Using alaser or other light that illuminates the back of the ball inconjunction with the horizontal barriers or guides, golfers are able toverify the ball is in the correct position for optimal results.

When the takeaway is on the proper plane and at the proper cadence, itis easier to return the club to the impact position correctly. When atthe top of the golf swing and the club is returned to the ball properly,it will back track over the take away plane releasing the maximum energyinto the ball with limited side spin which produces distance andaccuracy. By placing this guide to the side of the golfer he/sheimmediately feels, sees, and hears when they are outside the optimalparameters signaling him/her to stop and start again. No other toolsprovide this instant information to the golfer so they don't engrain badswing habits.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention includes a golftraining aid 10. The golf training aid 10 includes a base 14 having afront surface, a rear surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, afirst side surface, and a second side surface. A pair of verticalelongated rods 20 extend from the upper surface at an angle towards thefirst side surface. The pair of elongated rods 20 are substantiallyparallel to one another and a gap is defined therebetween. At least onealignment guide 18 extends from the front surface of the base 14 and issubstantially perpendicular relative to the front surface.

In certain embodiments, the at least one alignment guide 18 includes apair of alignment guides 18 extending from opposing sides of the frontsurface. The alignment guides 18 provide a guide for the golfer to aligntheir feet, hips, and shoulders. As illustrated in the Figures, thealignment guides 18 may include horizontal elongated rods. The frontsurface may include a pair of openings 26. The pair of horizontalelongated rods 18 are each disposed within a corresponding opening 26 ofthe pair of openings 26. The horizontal elongated rods 18 may beremoveable from the openings 26 for disassembly. In certain embodiments,the rear surface may also include a pair of openings 26. The horizontalelongated rods 18 may be placed within the pair of openings 26 formed onthe rear surface for left handed golfers to use the golf training aid10. In alternate embodiments, the alignment guides 18 may include lasersthat allow the golfer to visually align themselves relative to the golftraining aid 10.

The pair of vertical elongated rods 20 may also be removably disposedwithin openings 24. In such embodiments, the upper surface of the base14 includes a plurality of angled openings 24. The angled openings 24are angled towards the first side surface and are substantially parallelrelative to one another. For example, the angled openings 24, andthereby the vertical elongated rods 20 may be disposed at about a58-degree up to about a 64-degree angle relative to the upper surface,such as at about a 61-degree angle relative to the upper surface.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may include six angledopenings 24 aligned along the length of the base 14. The six angledopenings 24 allow for adjustments of the vertical elongated rods 20 forbeginner, intermediate, and proficient golfers. The vertical elongatedrods 20 can also be rearranged to fix specific swing problems. Forexemplary purposes, beginners start with the vertical elongated rods 20disposed within two of the outer angled openings 24. Intermediategolfers may use the two middle angled openings 24 and proficient golfersmay use the most inner angled openings 24. Therefore, the gap betweenthe vertical elongated rods 20 may be expanded for beginner golfers andreduced for expert golfers.

The pair of vertical elongated rods 20 may each include ends 21 curvingaway from one another. The ends 21 curving away from one anotherprovides additional clearance for the golfers swing and preventssnagging. In certain embodiments, the ends of the vertical elongatedrods 20 may be bent away from another, forming the curved ends 21.Alternatively, curved attachments may be releasably attached to the endsof the vertical elongated rods 20, forming the curved ends 21.

In certain embodiments, the present invention includes a laser projector16 projecting a beam of light from the front surface of the base 14. Thebeam of light is substantially parallel to the at least one alignmentguide 18. In certain embodiments, the beam of light is projected inbetween horizontal elongated rods of the alignment guide 18. The laserprojector 16 may be releasably disposed within a recess 22 formed on theupper surface of the base 14.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. Placethe golf training aid 10 to the right for right handed golfers and tothe left for left handed golfers. The feet, hips, and shoulders areparallel with the alignment guide 18 on the ground. The ball is placedso that the laser projector 16 is pointed directly at the back of theball ensuring the golfer is lined up properly to take the club 12 backand through the gap between the vertical elongated rods 20. The golferbegins by slowly taking the club 12 back through the gap to the top ofthe swing without hitting the vertical elongated rods 20. The golferreturns the club 12 to the back of the ball through the verticalelongated rods 20 without hitting them, finishing the swing as normal.When a golfer hits the vertical elongated rods 20 in any direction, thegolfer is indicated that they have made an improper golf swing. When thevertical elongated rods 20 are missed in both directions, then the golfswing was performed properly. Continue practicing hitting golf ballswith the tool in place to engrain the proper muscle memory. As anexample, many amateur golfers come over the top and strike the golf ballcreating left to right spin, causing the ball to go right and losedistance. Practicing with this tool eliminates the possibility of comingover the top. Other golfers take the club back too fast and too far tothe inside. Using this tool those golfers have to slow down to get theclub between the guides eliminating this swing error.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf training aid comprising: a base comprisinga front surface, a rear surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, afirst side surface, and a second side surface; a pair of verticalelongated rods extending from the upper surface at an angle towards thefirst side surface, wherein the pair of elongated rods are substantiallyparallel to one another and a gap is defined therebetween; and at leastone alignment guide extending from and substantially perpendicular tothe front surface.
 2. The golf training aid of claim 1, wherein the atleast one alignment guide comprises a pair of horizontal elongated rodsextending from opposing ends of the front surface.
 3. The golf trainingaid of claim 2, wherein the front surface comprises a pair of openings,wherein the pair of horizontal elongated rods are each disposed within acorresponding opening of the pair of openings.
 4. The golf training aidof claim 1, wherein the pair of vertical elongated rods each compriseends curving away from one another.
 5. The golf training aid of claim 1,wherein the upper surface comprises a plurality of angled openings,wherein the pair of vertical elongated rods are each disposed within acorresponding opening of the plurality of angled openings.
 6. The golftraining aid of claim 5, wherein the plurality of angle openings is sixopenings aligned along a length of the base.
 7. The golf training aid ofclaim 1, further comprising a laser projector projecting a beam of lightfrom the front surface of the base and substantially parallel to the atleast one alignment guide.
 8. The golf training aid of claim 7, whereinthe laser projector is disposed within a recess formed on the uppersurface.
 9. A golf training aid comprising: a base comprising a frontsurface, a rear surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, a first sidesurface, and a second side surface; a pair of vertical elongated rodsextending from the upper surface at an angle towards the first sidesurface, wherein the pair of elongated rods are substantially parallelto one another and a gap is defined therebetween; a pair of horizontalelongated rods extending from opposing ends of the front surface; and alaser projector projecting a beam of light from the front surface of thebase between and substantially parallel to the pair of horizontalelongated rods.
 10. The golf training aid of claim 9, wherein the pairof vertical elongated rods and the pair of horizontal elongated rods areeach disposed within a corresponding opening formed on the base.